Gaming machine accepting bets in middle of game

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game, and a controller programmed so as to execute the following processing of: (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of the client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of the BET switches included in the respective client terminals; (b) determining, for each of the client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the client terminals; and (c) offering a payout based on the determined relationship to each of the client terminals at which the BET has been placed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/881,496 filed on Jan. 22, 2007. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine where a BET can be inputted.

2. Discussion of the Background

There conventionally exist game systems which include a plurality of client terminals and execute a game in common among a plurality of players. Among such game systems, there are game systems that include a plurality of client terminals and a common screen, and execute a slot machine game or a roulette game displayed to the common screen, as disclosed in US 2005/0059474-Al, US 2005/0282618-Al, and US 2005/0218590-Al. In such a game, a player playing the game at each client terminal can place a BET on a result of the game displayed to the common screen. For example, when a slot machine game is displayed to the common screen, a BET can be placed on a line number, and when a roulette game is displayed, a straight BET or a combination BET can be placed on a layout of the roulette.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the waiting time in participating a multiplayer-entry-type game, and having a new entertainment property.

The contents of US 2005/0059474-Al, US 2005/0282618-Al, and US 2005/0218590-Al are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration.

Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game. Further, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a controller programmed to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of the above-mentioned BET switches included in the above-mentioned respective client terminals; (b) determining, for each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminal; and (c) offering a payout based on the above-mentioned determined relationship to each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration.

Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game. Further, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a memory which stores payout-ratio data indicating the correspondence between a payout ratio, which is a ratio of a payout to a standard payout, and timing when a BET has been placed. Further, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a controller programmed to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from the above-mentioned BET switch included in each of the above-mentioned client terminals; (b) determining a payout ratio for each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals and the above-mentioned payout-ratio data; (c) calculating a payout to be offered to each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, based on a standard payout and the determined payout ratio; and (d) offering the calculated payout to each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration.

Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game. Further, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a controller programmed to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of the above-mentioned BET switches included in the above-mentioned respective client terminals; (b) determining, for each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals; (c) offering a payout based on the above-mentioned determined relationship to each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed; (d) calculating, for each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, a currency value corresponding to the difference between the standard payout and the payout to be offered to each of the client terminals; and (e) cumulatively accumulating the calculated currency value as a currency value for a jackpot.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration.

Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game. Further, the above-mentioned gaming machine includes a controller programmed to execute the following processing of; (a) accepting an input of a normal BET from each of the above-mentioned BET switches included in each of the above-mentioned plurality of client terminals; (b) accepting an input of a middle-of-game BET during a game proceeding after the end of accepting an input of the normal BET; (c) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of the above-mentioned BET switches included in the above-mentioned respective client terminals; (d) determining, for each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the above-mentioned client terminals; and (e) offering a payout based on the above-mentioned determined relationship to each of the above-mentioned client terminals at which the BET has been placed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flow chart showing control-device-side processing executed by the control device provided in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is another flowchart showing control-device-side processing executed by the control device provided in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external structure of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating winning lines;

FIG. 4 is a view showing one example of symbol arrays;

FIG. 5A is a view showing one example of an image displayed to a front display;

FIG. 5B is another view showing one example of an image displayed to the front display;

FIG. 5C is another view showing one example of an image displayed to the front display;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing an external structure of a station;

FIG. 7A is a view showing one example of an image displayed to a liquid crystal display;

FIG. 7B is another view showing one example of an image displayed to the liquid crystal display;

FIG. 7C is another view showing one example of an image displayed to the liquid crystal display;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the control device;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a station;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of symbol determination processing;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a possibility for establishment of each symbol combination and the number of payouts; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a station-side processing executed in a station.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1A and 1B are flowcharts showing control-device-side processing executed by the control device provided in a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In a gaming machine 1 (see FIG. 2) , a slot machine game is executed. 15 display blocks 28 in five columns and three rows are displayed to a main monitor 2 included in the gaming machine 1, and one symbol is arranged in each of the display blocks 28 (see FIGS. 5A to 5C) . Further, 13 winning lines WL0 to WL12 passing across all the columns are set in the main monitor 2 (see FIG. 3). At each of stations 3 (see FIG. 2), a player can operate a BET line select button 81 (see FIG. 7A) to select a winning line on which a BET is to be placed, and can operate a number-of-BETs input button 83 (FIG. 7A) to input the number of BETs on the selected winning line WL. In the main monitor 2, when the symbols are stop-displayed after scrolling, when the same symbols are arranged on the winning line WL on which the BET has been placed (when any of the predetermined symbol combinations has been established), coins corresponding to the symbol combination and the number of BETs are paid out to the station 3 operated by the player.

The processing executed by a control device provided in the gaming machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in the following.

At first, in step S1 in FIG. 1A, a CPU 41 (see FIG. 8) of a control device 20 included in the gaming machine 1 displays a payout table 29 (see FIG. 5A) corresponding to a payout ratio of 100%, to a front display 21 included in a main monitor 2. In this case, the payout ratio refers to a ratio of the actual number of coins to be paid out to the number of coins to be paid out which is displayed in the payout table 29. In the present embodiment, the actual number of coins to be paid out is determined, based on the payout ratio at timing when a player has placed a BET.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 41 starts accepting a normal BET. In this processing, the CPU 41 transmits a signal (hereinafter also referred to as normal BET start signal) for making each of the stations 3 start accepting an input of the normal BET. The normal BET can be inputted at each of the stations 3 where this signal has been received. At this time, the CPU 41 starts measuring time by means of a timer 90. After the start of accepting the normal BET, when the CPU 41 receives normal BET information that the normal BET has been placed at the respective stations 3 and normal BET information showing contents of the normal BET, the received information is stored in the RAM 42 (see FIG. 8).

Next, in step S3, the CPU 41 starts scrolling the symbols on the main monitor 2 (see FIG. 5A).

Next, in step S4, the CPU 41 conducts a symbol determination processing. In this symbol determination processing, the CPU 41 determines the symbols to be arranged in the respective display blocks 28 at a stoppage of the symbols.

Although a case is described in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where symbols are determined after the start of scrolling the symbols, timing of determining symbols is not limited thereto, but may be, for example, before the start of scrolling the symbols or after the end of accepting the normal BET.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 41 determines whether or not 20 seconds has elapsed since the start of accepting the normal BET. When the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has not elapsed, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S5.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has elapsed, the CPU 41 executes processing for ending the acceptance of the normal BET, in step S6. In this processing, the CPU 41 transmits, to the each station 3, a signal (hereinafter also referred to as normal BET end signal) for making each of the stations 3 end accepting an input of the normal BET. The each station 3, upon receiving the signal, ends accepting an input of the normal BET.

Next, in step S7, the CPU 41 stops scrolling of the symbols along a first column (left-end column), based on the result determined in step S4 (see FIG. 5B).

Next, in step S8, the CPU 41 updates the payout table 29 displayed to the front display 21 to a payout table 29 corresponding to a payout ratio of 80% (see FIG. 5B) and also outputs, from speakers 22 (see FIG. 2), sounds describing “the payout ratio will be changed” for providing a notification that the payout ratio will be changed.

While, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where a payout table 29 is displayed all the time, namely a case where a payout table 29 corresponding to a current payout ratio is displayed and, when the payout table is updated, a payout table 29 corresponding to an updated payout ratio is displayed along therewith, the time period during which a payout-relating image is displayed is not limited to the case. For example, every time the payout ratio is updated, the payout table may be displayed for a predetermined time period (for example, 5 seconds) and, thereafter, the display thereof may be interrupted.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where sounds indicating that the payout ratio will be changed are outputted for 5 seconds, the time period during which the sounds are outputted is not limited to the case. For example, the sounds may be kept outputted until the payout table 29 is updated to the next.

Next, in step S9, the CPU 41 starts accepting a middle-of-game BET. In this processing, the CPU 41 transmits a signal (hereinafter also referred to as middle-of-game BET start signal) for making each of the stations 3 start accepting an input of the middle-of-game BET. The middle-of-game BET can be inputted at each of the stations 3 where this signal has been received. After the start of accepting the middle-of-game BET, when the CPU 41 receives middle-of-game BET information that the middle-of-game BET has been placed at the respective stations 3 and middle-of-game BET information showing contents of the middle-of-game BET, the received information is stored in the RAM 42.

Next, in step S10, the CPU 41 determines whether or not 20 seconds has elapsed since the stoppage of scrolling the symbols along the first column. When the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has not elapsed, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S10.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has elapsed, the CPU 41 stops scrolling the symbols along a second column (second column from the left-end), based on the result determined in step S4.

Next, in step S12 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 updates the payout table 29 displayed to the front display 21 to a payout table 29 corresponding to a payout ratio of 60% and also outputs, from the speakers 22, sounds indicating that the payout ratio will be changed.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 41 determines whether or not 20 seconds has elapsed since the stoppage of scrolling the symbols along the second column. When the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has not elapsed, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S13.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has elapsed, the CPU 41 stops scrolling of the symbols along a third column (third column from the left-end), based on the result determined in step S4.

Next, in step S15, the CPU 41 updates the payout table 29 displayed to the front display 21 to a payout table 29 corresponding to a payout ratio of 40% and also outputs, from the speakers 22, sounds indicating that the payout ratio will be changed.

Next, in step S16, the CPU 41 determines whether or not 20 seconds has elapsed since the stopping of scrolling of symbols along the third column. When the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has not elapsed, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S16.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has elapsed, the CPU 41 stops scrolling the symbols along a fourth column (fourth column from the left-end), based on the result determined in step S4.

Next, in step S18, the CPU 41 updates the payout table 29 displayed to the front display 21 to a payout table 29 corresponding to a payout ratio of 20% and also outputs, from the speakers 22, sounds indicating that the payout ratio will be changed.

Next, in step S19, the CPU 41 determines whether or not 20 seconds has elapsed since the stoppage scrolling of symbols along the third column. When the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has not elapsed, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S19.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that 20 seconds has elapsed, the CPU 41 executes processing for ending the acceptance of the middle-of-game BET in step S20.

Next, in step S21, the CPU 41 stops scrolling the symbols along a fifth column (right-end column), based on the result determined in step S4.

Next, in step S22, the CPU 41 executes processing for calculating a payout to be offered to the each station 3 at which a BET has been placed. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines an established prize based on the result determined in step S4 and determines a standard payout for the each station 3 based on the prize and the number of BETs. Further, the CPU 41 determines the payout to be offered, by multiplying the standard payout by the payout ratio on timing when the BET is placed.

Next, in step S23, the CPU 41 transmits, to the each station 3, information about the payout determined in step S22 (hereinafter, referred to as payout information).

Next, in step S24, the CPU 41 executes processing for accumulating jackpots (hereinafter, referred to as JPs) . More specifically, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores, in the RAM 42, credits corresponding to the difference between the sum of the standard payouts determined in step S22 and the sum of the payouts to be offered. For example, when a BET (middle-of-game BET) of 20 coins is placed on a winning line WL0 at a single station 3 after scrolling the symbols along the first column is stopped and a prize of arrangement of five “PLUM” symbols is finally established on the winning line WL0, the number of coins to be paid out for a single betted coin is four (see FIG. 11) and, therefore, the standard payout is 80 coins. Further, after the stoppage of scrolling the symbols along the first column, the payout ratio is 80%. Accordingly, the payout to be offered to this station 3 is 64 coins. In this case, the difference between the standard payout and the payout to be offered is 16 coins and, therefore, credits corresponding to 16 coins is cumulatively added and stored in the RAM 42.

The credit which has been cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 corresponds to currency value for a jackpot according to the present invention.

After executing the processing in step S24, the present processing ends.

Next, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external structure of the gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 is comprised of the control device 20 having the main monitor 2 (see FIG. 8) and five stations 3 (stations 3 a to 3 e). The station 3 corresponds to the client terminal in the present invention.

On the central portion of the main monitor 2, there is provided a front display 21, and 15 display blocks 28 in five columns and three rows and a payout table 29 are displayed thereto. Further, at an upper portion of the front display 21, there is provided a JP display section 30 which displays the accumulated JPs. Further, on the upper side of the main monitor 2, there is provided speakers 22 that output music and an effective sound along with the progress of a game and LEDs 23 which are lighted in a variety of renditions.

FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating the winning lines.

As shown in FIG. 3, the winning lines WL0 to WL12 are set so as to pass over any of the display blocks 28 along each column. In the present embodiment, 13 winning lines WL are set.

FIG. 4 is a view showing one example of symbol arrays.

As shown in FIG. 4, in each of the display blocks 28, an array of a total of 22 symbols, each of which has one of code numbers “00” to “21”, is arranged or scrolled. Each of the symbol arrays is constituted of a combination of the symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, and “APPLE”.

When five symbols of any one of “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, and “APPLE” are arranged on any of the winning lines WL, the predetermined number of coins are paid out (see FIG. 11).

On timing to start scrolling of the symbols (e.g. fifteen seconds after the symbols along all the columns are stop-displayed in a previous game), all the symbols are scrolled downwardly from above. The symbols are arranged after a lapse of predetermined time. At this time, when a predetermined symbol combination is established, the player can receive a payout of the predetermined number of coins (see FIG. 11).

FIGS. 5A to 5C are views each showing one example of an image displayed to a front display provided in a main monitor.

In the gaming machine 1, after the start of accepting the normal BET, scrolling of the symbols is started as shown in FIG. 5A. The players can place the normal BET until the passage of a predetermined time period (20 seconds, in the present embodiment) since the start of accepting the normal BET. At this time, the payout table 29 indicates a payout ratio of 100%.

After passage of the predetermined period, scrolling of the symbols along the first column (left-end column) is stopped. FIG. 5B shows one example of a state where scrolling of the symbols along the first has been stopped. “ORANGE” is arranged on the top row of the first column, and “PLUM” is arranged on the middle row of the first column. Further, “ORANGE” is arranged on the bottom row of the first column. At this time, the payout table 29 indicates a payout ratio of 80%.

Thereafter, every time the predetermined time period (20 seconds) has elapsed, scrolling of the symbols along the second, third, fourth and fifth columns is stopped in the mentioned order. Upon stoppage of scrolling of the symbols along the second, third and fourth columns, the payout ratio is changed to 60%, 40% and 20%, respectively.

The player can place the middle-of-game BET until scrolling of the symbols along the fifth column is stopped after the stoppage of scrolling the symbols along the first column. The players can place the middle-of-game BET, considering the stop-displayed symbols.

FIG. 5C shows one example of the stop-displayed symbols along all the columns. At this time, when the same symbols are arranged on the winning line WL on which the BET has been placed, coins corresponding to the symbol combination, the number of BETs and the payout ratio on timing when the BET has been placed are paid out to the station 3 operated by the player. In FIG. 5C, “PLUM” symbols are arranged in all the display blocks 28 on the winning line WL0. Therefore, the predetermined number of coins are paid out to the station 3 of the player having placed the normal BET or the middle-of-game BET on the winning line WL0.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing an external structure of the station provided in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, at the center of the upper surface of the station 3, there is provided a liquid crystal display 10 for displaying later-described images regarding operations (see FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C) and the like. Further, on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a touch panel 11 for inputting a direction such as a BET. The touch panel 11 corresponds to the BET switch in the present invention.

Operation buttons 12 for conducting a payout operation and a coin insertion slot 13 into which a coin or a medal is inserted are provided toward the front of the liquid crystal display 10.

A bill insertion slot 14 into which a bill is inserted is provided at the right end upper portion of the front of the station 3. Below the bill insertion slot 14, a coin payout exit 15 is provided for paying out coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credits.

FIG. 7A is a view showing one example of an image displayed to the liquid crystal display when the normal BET is placed.

As shown in FIG. 7A, at the upper portion of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a normal BET line select section 80 for selecting a winning line WL on which the normal BET is to be placed. In the normal BET line select section 80, BET line select buttons 81 are displayed for selecting the winning line WL on which the normal BET is to be placed. The player can operate the BET line select buttons 81 via the touch panel 11 to select the winning line WL on which the normal BET is to be placed. In FIG. 7A, the color of the BET line select button 81 corresponding to the winning line WL10 is different from the color of the other BET line select buttons 81, indicating that the BET line select button 81 corresponding to the winning line WL10 has been operated.

On the lower left side with respect to the normal BET line select section 80, there is provided a BET button display section 82. BET buttons 83 for inputting the number of BETs are displayed to the BET button display section 82. The player can operate the BET buttons 83 via the touch panel 11 to input the number of BETs on the selected winning line WL.

On the right side with respect to the BET button display section 82, there is provided a number-of-normal-BETs display section 85 for displaying the number of coins placed for the normal BET. FIG. 7A shows that a BET of 28 coins has been placed on the winning line WL10. In the case of inputting the BET of 28 coins, the player may operate the BET button 83 “10” twice, the BET button 83 “5” once and the BET button 83 “1” three times.

On the right side with respect to the number-of-normal-BETs display section 85, there is provided a number-of-credits display section 84. FIG. 7A indicates that 512 coins have been credited.

FIG. 7B is a view showing one example of an image displayed to the liquid crystal display when the middle-of-game BET is placed.

FIG. 7B is an image displayed to the liquid crystal display 10 of the station 3 having placed no normal BET. As shown in FIG. 7B, at the upper portion of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a middle-of-game BET line select section 86 for selecting a winning line WL on which the middle-of-game BET is to be placed. In the middle-of-game BET line select section 86, middle-of-game BET line select buttons 87 are displayed for selecting the winning line WL on which the middle-of-game BET is to be placed. The player can operate the middle-of-game BET line select buttons 87 via the touch panel 11 to select the winning line WL on which the middle-of-game BET is to be placed. In FIG. 7B, the color of the middle-of-game BET line select button 87 corresponding to the winning line WL12 is different from the color of the other middle-of-game BET line select buttons 87, indicating that the middle-of-game BET line select button 87 corresponding to the winning line WL12 has been operated.

On the lower left side to the middle-of-game BET line select section 86, there is provided a BET button display section 82. On the right side with respect to the BET button display section 82, there is provided a number-of-middle-of-game-BETs display section 88 for displaying the number of coins placed for the middle-of-game BET. FIG. 7B shows that a BET of 20 coins has been placed on the winning line WL12. On the right side with respect to the number-of-middle-of-game-BETs display section 88, there is provided a number-of-credits display section 84. Since the BET button display section 82 and the number-of-credits display section 84 have already been described with reference to FIG. 7A, descriptions of those are omitted here.

FIG. 7C is a view showing one example of an image displayed to the liquid crystal display when the middle-of-game BET is to be placed at the station where the normal BET has been placed.

As shown in FIG. 7C, to the lower center side of the liquid crystal display 10, the number-of-middle-of-game-BETs display section 88 and the number-of-normal-BETs display section 85 line select section 86 are displayed above and below. In the number-of-normal-BETs display section 85, information about the already placed normal BET is displayed. Specifically, the image of “10” indicating that the BET has been placed on the winning line WL10 and the number of BETs “28” are displayed. Since the other images have been described above with reference to FIG. 7B, descriptions of those images are omitted here.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the control device provided in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, a main control section 40 provided in the control device 20 is comprised of a microcomputer 45 as the core, which basically includes the CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, the timer 90, and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually among these devices. The main control section 40 corresponds to the controller in the present invention.

In the ROM 43, a variety of programs for executing processing necessary in controlling the control device 20, data tables and the like, are stored. The data tables include a table that defines the correspondent relationships between combinations of the symbols to be arranged on the winning lines WL and the number of coins to be paid out corresponding to respective combinations. Specific relationships between the combinations and the number of payouts are described later with reference to FIG. 11. Further, the ROM 43 stores payout-ratio data indicative of the correspondence between payout ratios and timing when a BET is placed. The ROM 43 corresponds to a memory according to the present invention. The RAM 42 is a memory in which a variety of data computed in the CPU 41 are temporarily stored. Further, the timer 90 measures the time.

Further, the CPU 41 is connected via an I/O interface 46 to an image processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, a LED driving circuit 49 and a communication interface 50.

The image processing circuit 47 is connected with the front display 21 comprising the main monitor 2. The sound circuit 48 is connected with the speakers 22 comprising the main monitor 2. The LED driving circuit 49 is connected with the LEDs 23 comprising the main monitor 2. Five stations 3 are connected to the communication interface 50.

The CPU 41 makes a game progress based upon a game program stored in the ROM 43 and a variety of signals received from the stations 3, displays an image to the front display 21 according to progress of the game, outputs sound from the speakers 22, and turns the LEDs 23 on. Further, the CPU 41 transmits to each of the stations 3 a variety of signals such as the normal BET start signal, the normal BET end signal, the middle-of-game BET start signal, and the middle-of-game BET end signal, according to progress of the game.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the station provided in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 9, the station 3 is comprised of a microcomputer 55 as a core, which basically includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually among these devices.

In the ROM 53, a variety of programs, a data table and the like for executing processing necessary in controlling the stations 3 are stored. Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of credits currently accumulated in the stations 3 and a variety of data computed in the CPU 51.

Moreover, the CPU 51 is connected via an I/O interface 56 to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60, an inserted coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signal circuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66 and a communication interface 61.

The liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57. The touch panel 11 is connected to the touch panel driving circuit 58. A hopper 62 is connected to the hopper driving circuit 59. A coin detecting section 63 is connected to the payout completion signal circuit 60. An inserted coin detecting section 68 is connected to the inserted coin detecting signal circuit 67. A bill detecting section 65 is connected to the bill detecting signal circuit 64. The operation buttons 12 are connected to the operation signal circuit 66.

The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3, and pays out coins from the coin payout exit 15 based upon a control signal outputted from the CPU 51.

The coin detecting section 63 is provided inside the coin payout exit 15, and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 upon detecting that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout exit 15.

The inserted coin detecting section 68 detects the amount of coins upon detection of the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, and transmits a detecting signal indicating the detected amount to the CPU 51. The detected coins counted regarding a predetermined amount as one credit are stored into the RAM 52.

The bill detecting section 65 detects an amount of bills when the bills are accepted, and transmits a detecting signal indicating the detected amount to the CPU 51. The detected bills counted regarding a predetermined amount as one credit are stored into the RAM 52.

The operation buttons 12 are buttons for conducting a payout operation when a payout of coins is determined.

Next, processing executed in the control device 20 and the stations 3 are described. However, since the processing concerning the control device 20 has already been described by using FIG. 1, only the symbol determination processing, which is called and executed in step S4 shown in FIG. 1, is described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of symbol determination processing.

First, the CPU 41 executes a program for random number generation included in a game program, to select a random number corresponding to each of the symbol columns, out of the numbers falling in a numerical range of 0 to 255 (step S40). In the present embodiment, a case of generating a random number on a program (a case of using a so-called software random number) is described. However, in the present invention, a random number generator may be provided and the random number may then be extracted from the random number generator (a so-called hardware random number may be used).

Next, the CPU 41 determines the code Nos. of the respective symbol columns (see FIG. 4) based upon five selected random numbers (step S41). The respective code Nos. of each of the symbol columns correspond to the respective code Nos. of stop-displayed symbols on the winning line WL0 on each of the columns. The CPU 41 determines the code No. of each symbol column to determine a symbol combination. For example, when the CPU 41 determines the code Nos. of the respective symbol columns as “00”, “00”, “00”, “00”, “00”, this means that the CPU 41 determines “JACKPOT 7” as the symbol combination.

Here, the symbol combination in the present embodiment is described.

FIG. 11 is a view showing possibilities for establishment of the symbol combinations and the number of payouts.

When five “JACKPOT 7” symbols are arranged on a winning line WL, the number of coins corresponding to the cumulatively accumulated JPs are paid out. Further, when five “APPLE” symbols are arranged on a winning line WL, 50 coins are paid out per inserted coin. Similarly, when five of any one of the symbols “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “CHERRY”, and “ORANGE” are arranged on a winning line WL, the number of coins corresponding to each of the combinations is paid out.

Next, the processing to be executed in the station 3 is described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a station-side processing executed in the station.

First, in step S60, when the CPU 51 provided in the station 3 receives a normal BET start signal from the control device 20, the CPU 51 starts accepting the normal BET. At this time, the CPU 51 displays the image shown in FIG. 7A to the liquid crystal display 10.

Next, in step S61, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the normal BET has been inputted via the touch panel 11. In this processing, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the BET line select button 81 and the BET buttons 83 (see FIG. 7A) have been operated via the touch panel 11.

Upon determining that no normal BET has been inputted (step S61: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether or not to end accepting the normal BET (step S62). In this processing, upon receiving a normal BET end signal from the control device 20, the CPU 51 determines to end accepting the normal BET. An input of the normal BET is considered to be accepted when the normal BET is inputted during a period from the start of accepting the normal BET in step S60 until the end of accepting the normal BET in step S62.

When determining not to end accepting the normal BET, the CPU 51 returns the processing to step S61. On the other hand, when determining to end accepting the normal BET, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S64.

In step S61, when determining that the normal BET has been inputted, the CPU 51 transmits normal BET information showing that the normal BET has been placed and contents of the normal BET, to the control device 20 (step S63). The contents of the normal BET includes the number of the winning line WL to which the normal BET is subject to and the number of BETs. After the processing of step S63, the processing is shifts to step S64.

Next, in step S64, upon receipt of a middle-of-game BET start signal from the control device 20, the CPU 51 starts accepting the middle-of-game BET. At this time, the CPU 51 displays the image shown in FIG. 7B or 7C to the liquid crystal display 10.

Next, in step S65, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the middle-of-game BET has been inputted via the touch panel 11. In this processing, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the middle-of-game BET line select buttons 87 and the BET buttons 83 (see FIGS. 7B, 7C) have been operated via the touch panel 11.

Upon determining that no middle-of-game BET has been inputted (step S65: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether or not to end accepting the middle-of-game BET (step S66). In this processing, upon receipt of a middle-of-game BET end signal from the control device 20, the CPU 51 determines to end accepting the middle-of-game BET. An input of the middle-of-game BET is considered to be accepted when the middle-of-game BET is inputted during a period from the start of accepting the middle-of-game BET in step S64 until the end of accepting the middle-of-game BET in step S66.

When determining not to end accepting the middle-of-game BET, the CPU 51 returns the processing to step S65. On the other hand, when determining to end accepting the middle-of-game BET, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S68.

In step S65, upon determining that the middle-of-game BET has been inputted, the CPU 51 transmits information that the middle-of-game BET has been placed and middle-of-game BET information showing contents of the middle-of-game BET to the control device 20 (step S67). The contents of the middle-of-game BET includes the number of the winning line WL on which the middle-of-game BET has been placed, the number of BETs and timing when the BET has been placed. After the processing of step S67, the processing shifts to step S68.

In step S68, the CPU 51 receives payout information from the control device 20.

Next, in step S69, the CPU 51 executes payout processing. More specifically, the CPU 51 stores the payout information received in step S68 in the RM 52. Then, when the operation button 12 is operated, coins are paid out based on the payout information. The paying out coins corresponds to offering a payout in the present invention. After executing the processing in step S69, the present subroutine ends.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of stations 3 (client terminals), each of which including a touch panel 11 (BET switch) capable of outputting a BET signal according to operations by a player playing a games. Further, the gaming machine 1 includes the ROM 43 (memory) which stored payout-ratio data indicative of the correspondence between a payout ratio, which is a ratio of a payout with respect to a standard payout, and timing when a BET is placed. Further, the gaming machine 1 includes a main control portion 40 (controller) programmed to execute processes of; (a) accepting an input of the normal BET from the respective touch panels 11 included in the plurality of stations 3; (b) accepting an input of the middle-of-game BET during a game proceeding after the end of accepting an input of the normal BET; (c) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at the each station 3, based on the BET signal outputted from the touch panel 11 included in the each station 3; (d) determining a payout ratio for the each station 3 at which the BET has been placed, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of the stations 3 and the payout-ratio data; (e) calculating a payout to be offered to the each station 3 at which the BET has been placed, based on the standard payout and the determined payout ratio; (f) offering the calculated payout to the each station 3 at which the BET has been placed; (g) calculating credits corresponding to the difference between the standard payout and the payout to be offered to the each station 3 at which the BET has been placed; and (h) cumulatively accumulating the calculated credits as a currency value for a jackpot.

While, in the present embodiment, payout ratios of 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% are set in association with timing of placing a BET, values of the payout ratio and the number of these values are not limited to the case and can be properly set as required, in the present invention.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where, every time 20 seconds has elapsed since the start of accepting the normal BET, scrolling of the symbols along one of the columns is stopped and, along therewith, the payout ratio is changed, the predetermined timing according to the present invention is not limited to the case. For example, the payout ratio may be changed every time scrolling of the symbols is stopped, regardless of the elapsed time period, or the payout ratio may be changed every time a predetermined time period has elapsed, regardless of whether or not scrolling of the symbols is stopped. Also, for example, the payout ratio may be changed when a player places a predetermined input such as a BET of a predetermined price or more. Also the payout ratio may be changed during a game upon an output of a predetermined result such as a result that three identical symbols are arranged on a single winning line when symbols have been stopped along the first to third columns.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, the payout to be offered is determined based on the standard payout and the payout ratio corresponding to the timing when a BET is placed, the method for determining the payout to be offered is not limited to the case, in the present invention. For example, for a payout for a BET placed until the passage of 20 seconds since the start of accepting the middle-of-game BET, 10 coins may be subtracted from a standard payout, that is, a predetermined value may be subtracted from a standard payout according to the timing when a BET is placed. Also, for example, the payout to be offered may be determined based on the data tables, that is, a plurality of data tables, each of which indicates the different correspondences, from one another, between prizes and payouts to be offered, may be pre-stored, in association with timing when a BET is placed.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, a notification that the payout ratio will be changed is provided with a payout table 29 and sounds, such a notification may not necessarily be provided, in the present invention.

Further, while, in the present embodiment, the middle-of-game BET is accepted until scrolling of the symbols along the fifth column is stopped (until the end of a game) after the end of accepting the normal BET, the period during which the middle-of-game BET is accepted is not limited to the case, in the present invention. For example, the middle-of-game BET may be accepted only during a predetermined time period after the end of accepting the normal BET, and there is no particular limitation on the period during which the middle-of-game BET is accepted, provided that it is a period after the end of accepting the normal BET until the state of allowing the player to recognize the game result.

Although the case of playing the slot machine game has been described in the present embodiment, the game to be executed in the present invention is not limited to this example, as long as a game which can be joined by a plurality of players and in which a BET is placed on a predetermined subject, e.g. a roulette game, a bingo game, and card games such as poker, Black Jack and a tarot card game.

Although the case of including a plurality of stations 3 has been described in the present embodiment, a station (client terminal) may not be provided in the present invention as long as it is possible to accept an input of the middle-of-game BET, which is different from a normal BET after the end of accepting the normal BET.

While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where a plurality of players play a game while visually identifying the common main monitor 2, the gaming machine may not include a main monitor, in the present invention. In this case, for example, a plurality of client terminals may be placed around a roulette machine to enable a player to play a game while visually identifying the roulette machine.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described above, the description presents only some of the specific examples, and does not particularly limit the present invention, and specific constitutions of each means and the like can be properly changed in terms of design. Further, the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention are only examples of the most preferable effects generated from the present invention and the effect to be caused by the present invention is not limited to those described in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the above detailed description, for a better and easier understanding of the present invention, the description is mainly made on the featuring aspects of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments in the above detailed description, and may be applied to other varieties of embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed in this specification are used to precisely describe the present invention, and should not be regarded as limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Moreover, based on the conception described in the present specification, those skilled in the art will readily come up with other configuration, systems and methods and the like included in the conception of the present invention. As such, it should be elucidated that the claims include such equivalent constitutions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and general public institutions, and those skilled in the art and the like who are not familiar with patent or legal terminology, to quickly determine the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of this application with a simple search. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to define the scope of the present invention, which should be measured by the description of the claims. Furthermore, for fully understanding the purposes and the featuring effects of the present invention, desirably, the present invention is interpreted with reference to published publications and the like.

The detailed descriptions aforementioned may be presented in terms of processing executed by a computer. Those descriptions and terms set forth in the above are described for the purpose that those skilled in the art understand the present invention in a most effective way. In the present specification, each step used for leading one result should be understood a self-consistent procedure. In each step, sending and receiving, or recording or the like of electrical or magnetic signals are performed. Although, such signals are expressed in bit, value, symbol, character, term, number and the like in processing of each step; however, it is important to note that those expressions are used simply for convenience of explanation. Moreover, processing in each step is in some cases described using expressions in common with those for human activities, but processing described in the present specification is in principle performed by various apparatuses. Furthermore, some other constitutions required for carrying out the respective step are considered to be self-explanatory from the aforementioned descriptions. 

1. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game; and a controller programmed so as to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of said client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of said BET switches included in said respective client terminals; (b) determining, for each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of said client terminals; and (c) offering a payout based on said determined relationship to each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed.
 2. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game; a memory which stores payout-ratio data indicating the correspondence between a payout ratio, which is a ratio of a payout to a standard payout, and timing when a BET is placed; and a controller programmed so as to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of said client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of said BET switches included in said respective client terminals; (b) determining a payout ratio for each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of said respective client terminals and said payout-ratio data; (c) calculating a payout to be offered to each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, based on a standard payout and the determined payout ratio; and (d) offering the calculated payout to each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed.
 3. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game; and a controller programmed so as to execute the following processing of; (a) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of said client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of said BET switches included in said respective client terminals; (b) determining, for each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of said client terminals; (c) offering a payout based on said determined relationship to each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed; (d) calculating, for each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, a currency value corresponding to the difference between the standard payout and the payout to be offered to each of said client terminals; and (e) cumulatively accumulating the calculated currency value as a currency value for a jackpot.
 4. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of client terminals, each of which having a BET switch capable of outputting a BET signal according to operation made by a player playing a game; and a controller programmed so as to execute the following processing of; (a) accepting an input of a normal BET from each of said BET switches included in each of said plurality of client terminals; (b) accepting an input of a middle-of-game BET during a game proceeding after the end of accepting an input of the normal BET; (c) detecting timing when a BET has been placed at each of said client terminals, based on the BET signal outputted from each of said BET switches included in said respective client terminals; (d) determining, for each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed, the relationship between a payout to be offered and a standard payout, based on the timing when the BET has been placed at each of said client terminals; and (e) offering a payout based on said determined relationship to each of said client terminals at which the BET has been placed. 